Crank Up The HEAT End of the Season Awards

Crank Up The HEAT and its writers have come together and collaborated in a sort of round table piece in order to hand out the end of the season awards. Some may be obvious, others might be shocking, enjoy and let us know what you think.

——————————–

NBA Most Valuable Player:

Pedro: Derrick Rose (Chicago)

LeBron James is one of the best players in the world. We all know that, but without Derrick Rose at the realm, the Bulls would not be the number one seed in the eastern conference.

Matt Pineda: LeBron James (Miami)

Derrick Rose has improved and probably will win it, but LeBron is the best player in the world and stats back that up (#1 PER, #2 scoring and #1 in wins earned). Dwight Howard is the most important to his team, but it all depends on how you define MVP.

Matt Blue: Derrick Rose (Chicago)

Where would the Chicago Bulls be without Derek Rose? Rose’s leadership has been an invaluable asset to this team. Also, he is very hard-working, humble and he has played with tremendous fire and determination. Rose has had a truly remarkable season averaging 24.9 points on .439 shooting with 4.2 rebounds, 7.9 assists and 1.0 steals.

Johnny: LeBron James (Miami)

In my opinion, it should be LeBron James for the third time. Everyone keeps saying that Derrick Rose should get it, but the success of Derrick Rose has been the coach and the rest of the team. If you take out Derrick Rose from that team, they would still be a great team.

Steven: Derrick Rose (Chicago)

The big signing in the offseason was Boozer who has missed twenty-three games this season and Noah missed thirty-four and somehow Rose has led the Bulls to the number one seed in the East.

NBA 6^th Man of the Year:

Pedro: Lamar Odom (Los Angeles)

Lamar Odom is the obvious winner, even if he started 34 games. Odom is averaging around 14 points per game, and if the Lakers want to three-peat, they will need Odom to be their best player off the bench.

Matt Pineda: Jason Terry (Dallas)

Lamar Odom seems to be the obvious winner, but he has also started 34 games, while Terry has started only 10. He has put up nearly 16 ppg and 4 apg off the bench in only 31 minutes on average.

Matt Blue: Lamar Odom (Los Angeles)

Odom is a very important piece to the puzzle for the Lakers. He is the x factor and the Lakers very best all-around player off the bench.

Johnny: Lamar Odom (Los Angeles)

In my opinion Lamar Odom is the 6th man of the year because if you put this man in any other team, he’d be the starter and a very good one. He brings hustle, points and rebounds in the equation.

Steven:  Lamar Odom (Los Angeles)

There was talk about him being an all-star before Bynum came back from injury.

NBA Most Improved Player

Pedro: Kevin Love (Minnesota)

Love went from 14 PPG and 11 RPG last season to 20 PPG and 15 RPG. This is a no-brainer. And he also holds the record for most consecutive double-doubles. That’s winning.

Matt Pineda: Kevin Love (Minnesota)

Hard to argue against a guy who went from 14 PPG and 11 RPG to 20 and 15.  He set the double-double record and owns the NBA rebounding title this year.

Matt Blue: Wesley Matthews (Portland)

Wow, has this guy really improved his game or what? He has turned into a very lethal perimeter shooter. Don’t you even dare think about leaving this man wide open!

Johnny: Kevin Love (Minnesota)

No one would’ve thought he would be the leading rebounding especially as a 3rd year player. One thing that surprised me that he did was having a 30 point – 30 rebound performance one game.

Steven: Kevin Love (Minnesota)

While Minnesota usually makes bad decision after bad decision, trading Al Jefferson (or donating), might have been the best thing for them.  I did not expect Love to run away with the most rebounds per game.

NBA Coach of The Year:

Pedro: Doug Collins (Philadelphia)

Collins took over a Philadelphia team that hasn’t done much for while and got them in the playoffs as the number seven seed. If for some reason Philadelphia upsets Miami, Doug Collins will have this award in the bag.

Matt Pineda: Tom Thibodeau (Chicago)

Thibs took over a team who hadn’t had a winning season since 2007, and completely transformed their identity into the best record in the East. The Bulls are around the top of every defensive category and it’s thanks to the coaching.

Matt Blue: Doug Collins (Philadelphia)

Doug Collins is an excellent fix it guy. He has a knack for getting a franchise back on the right track. What an impressive job he has done this season with such a young team

Johnny: Tom Thibodeau (Chicago)

Coach Tom Thibodeau is the best coach in my opinion to win this award. The defense that he teaches is just amazing.

Steven: Doug Collins (Philadelphia)

The hardest thing to change in a team is the atmosphere.  They started off 3-13 and they had to have thought it was just another bad season.  Collins has changed the culture in Philly without any major additions.

NBA Defensive Player of the Year:

Pedro: Dwight Howard (Orlando)

Some argue he should be MVP. I won’t go that far, but he is 3^rd in the NBA in blocks and is a flat out monster in the paint. This should be an easy pick.

Matt Pineda: Dwight Howard (Orlando)

3rd in Blocks and 2nd in rebounds, Dwight is a complete game-changer on the defensive end. He is also 2nd in NBA in PER, and well deserving of his 3rd Defensive POY Award.

Matt Blue: Dwight Howard (Orlando)

Howard is averaging 2.4 blocks per game. There is no one else in the league who can impact a game defensively like Dwight Howard. You better believe he is the best interior defender that we have in the game today.

Johnny: Dwight Howard (Orlando)

There’s just no point in explaining my answer here, you just have to see him play.

Steven: Dwight Howard (Orlando)

Has there been a better defensive anchor in the past twenty years?  Probably not.

NBA Rookie of the Year:

Pedro: Blake Griffin (LA Clippers)

Griffin averaged 22 PPG, 12 RPG, and 4 APG as a rookie. He is the human highlight reel, has people in Los Angeles talking about “the other team” that shares the Staples Center with the Lakers, and that in itself is an accomplishment in my book. Now, is he considered a “rookie”?

Matt Pineda: Blake Griffin (LA Clippers)

Blake is the only player in the league averaging 20 ppg, 12 rbg, and 3 apg.  He has dominated the highlights and the All-Star deserves ROY.

Matt Blue: Blake Griffin (LA Clippers)

There is no way this man is human! He is extraterrestrial life force from another galaxy!

Johnny: Blake Griffin (LA Clippers)

He’s done so much for the Clippers and is a dunking machine (except for the Slam Dunk competition).

Steven: Blake Griffin (LA Clippers)

The only question is: should he be considered a rookie since he got a taste of the NBA last year (on the bench)?

NBA First Team:

NBA Second Team:

The post 2011 Season Awards appeared first on The World Champion Crank Up The HEAT.

Crank Up The HEAT’s staff decided to make our picks for the upcoming NBA postseason.  We did this six weeks before the regular season ended.  We wanted to share our picks with you and get your feedback.  So please, read through and share with us your thoughts.

When the playoffs roll around, we’ll do a whole new set of picks and break down each series.

Enjoy!

Matt Pineda’s Picks

I think the HEAT make a push for the one seed, but this year I don’t think they can get past Boston.  They haven’t shown yet, that they can play like a true team one both sides of the floor consistently.  I think the Spurs are having one of those years where they are just clicking and so I have them holding up the trophy in the end, in Tim Duncan’s 5th and final championship run.  The Dallas and Lakers series could go either way, and watch for Chicago and Boston, if the Bulls are able to win that series, Miami has a better chance to reach the finals.

Pedro Heizer’s Picks

Although Miami is going through a though stretch with problems closing out games, I don’t see Miami having that problem once the NBA Playoffs come around. A younger and more agile Chicago Bulls team will be the second seed in the east and will beat an aging Boston Celtics team in the second round only to be beaten by the Miami Heat in 7 games. In the West, The young and athletic Oklahoma City Thunder will defeat the San Antonio Spurs, the best team in the league, simply because the Thunder have a more dynamic team. It all depends on the health of the Spurs. If the Thunder get passed the Spurs, the Lakers will be no match and the 2-time defending champs will be defeated by the team that last year was the eighth seed and took them to a six games. The NBA Finals will be one of the most exciting ones to date. The Miami Heat, and the Oklahoma City Thunder, 2 of the best teams in the league, will go head-to-head, but in the end, the talent of the Miami Heat will prevail and I pick Miami to win in seven games.

Steve Rawnsley’s Picks

You can make an argument for four teams going to the finals from the West.  It could just come down to who is healthy, and a team with one injury could very well miss out. These teams are so evenly matched. OKC against SA will be great with the addition of Perkins guarding Duncan. Sorry, but I think Boston has one last run in them.  Chicago against Miami will be a great series also. The team with the first seed has a big advantage playing Orlando instead of the the other two battling.  If Boston gets the first seed, I like them as they get rest for the veterans.

Matt Blue’s Picks

I really think the New York Knicks are going to get hot in the playoffs and the Celtics age will catch up to them.It is only a matter of time before Miami gets it together and starts finishing close games. It is just inevitable. They have way too much talent not to ultimately be successful, that’s why I have them holding up the trophy.  I think the Thunder are the most explosive team in the West and they have improved so much since last year.  Westbrook and Durant will lead them to the Finals, but ultimately falling to Miami.

Juan Alberti’s Picks

I think Miami has what it takes to make it to the finals and win it.  I don’t foresee many upsets except for the Lakers over the Mavericks. The Spurs have been the best all year, and they make it out of the West.  Ultimately, Dwyane Wade, again, holds up the MVP trophy as the HEAT win their second title in franchise history.

So there it is, our playoff predictions.  Leave some comments for us and let us know what you think. We hope to hear from you because as you know, we love feedback! good or bad, let us have it!

The post Staff Playoff Predictions appeared first on The World Champion Crank Up The HEAT.

By: Juan Alberti

The Atlanta Hawks defeated the Miami Heat 93-89 in overtime Tuesday at AmericanAirlines Arena.

Joe Johnson and Jamal Crawford each scored 19 points to lead the Hawks. Atlanta had five players in double figures, including Josh Smith and Mike Bibby who each finished with 15 points. LeBron James led Miami with 34 points while guard Dwyane Wade added 27 points and six rebounds. It was the Heat’s fourth straight loss.

I’m going to try not to play the blame game here but, Lebron James did shoot a putrid 2 for 10 from the 3 point line. I know you’re a super star and everything but when the shot is not going in, you’re not supposed to act like superman and hope it will drop especially when the game is tight and they’re hitting everything.

Lebron James still played very well with 34 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists. LeBron went 11-30 from the field and was 10-11 from the free throw line. Dwyane Wade also played a great game dropping 27 points, grabbing six rebounds and dishing three assists. Wade shot 8-20 but did get to the free throw line converting 11-12 shots.

What really killed us in this game were the turnover at the end of the game which obviously cost us the game. Lebron and Dwyane had 6 a piece, everyone else had either no turnovers or just 1.

You probably thought I forgot about Chris Bosh, but no, he sat this game out with a minor sprained ankle and just for precaution especially when the next game is on Saturday against the Raptors. Since Miami doesn’t play another game for seven days after that, it’s a good move letting Bosh rest up.

Game MVP: Dwyane Wade/ Joel Anthony

Both Wade and Anthony had monster games. Joel Anthony didn’t score any points but he did grab a career-high 16 rebounds, which 8 were offensive, and had 3 blocks.

Wade, despite his six lazy assists, dropped 27 points, grabbed six rebounds and dished three assists.

Biggest Surprise of the Game: Joel Anthony

The Warden was in Lockdown mode last ngiht! He had a career night with 16 rebounds and was “perfect” from the floor.

Tough Night: Lebron James

LeBron did score a game-high 34 points, but had six turnovers, and cost us the game when it was most important. No shame on being in the “Thuogh Night” column though LeBron, I’m sure you’ll find your way out of it soon.

Lights Out Performance: Mike Bibby

He’s the one that killed the Heat with the 3 pointers when we were so close in winning the game. He went 4-10 from beyond the arc but did make clutch shots which won them the game.

Stat of the Night: Three-Point Shotting: Miami 7-30

Miami was a horrible 23% from three-point land. Enough said.

Next Up: Miami plays the Toronto Raptors at the American Airline Arena on Saturday at 7:30pm

The post Home Is Where The Hurt Is; Wade and Heat Falter To Hawks In OT appeared first on The World Champion Crank Up The HEAT.

By: Juan Alberti

This game wasn’t much about the bench, this game was about how Mario Chalmers was the only one that showed up to help the big three.

Yes we need some consistency from James Jones and Big Z but sometimes we just have to admit that we really miss Udonis Haslem and Mike Miller. The big three played amazingly, well, for the first time in a while. It was not just Lebron James and Chris Bosh doing the work but Dwyane Wade finally showed flashes of himself.

Chris Bosh went 12-22 scoring 27 points while grabbing 10 rebounds, four of those rebounds were offensive so he’s working on his offensive rebounds.

Lebron James is…. well, Lebron James. After a spectacular night that he had against the Cavaliers, James went 5-11 for 22 points, he also was 11-13 from the free throw line.

Dwyane Wade was my favorite tonight, attacking the basket at will and not showing any weakness going 11-18 scoring 26 points. He also had 10 rebounds.

Mario Chalmers was the only spark off the bench scoring 9 points going 4-10 from the field but his presence was well known. He was able to defend Mike Bibby very well which was going off on Carlos Arroyo at the beginning of the game. Overall, this game was a big improvement in the chemistry of the big three; yes the bench was a bit nonexistent tonight but a win is a win.

Game MVP: Dwyane Wade

Even though all three stars played amazing but it was Dwyane Wade that finally showed his true self in this win. He went from start to finish and helped the Heat over the hump when the Hawks came back down 2 when leading by 12.

Biggest Surprise of the Game: Mario Chalmers

Even though Mario didn’t have an “amazing” night but he was the only spark off the bench that was able to guard the opposing point guard getting key steals turning them into fast breaks and getting key assists.

Tough Night: Zydrunas Ilguaskas and Carlos Arroyo

Both of them had off nights. Big Z couldn’t hit his normal outside jumper that helps out the spacing and Carlos Arroyo barely could defend Mike Bibby who he allowed to shoot couple three pointers easily over him.

Lights Out Performance: Chris Bosh

Chris Bosh was shooting lights out going 12-22, was the main one using the pick and roll and was able to attack the basket a couple of time leading him to the free throw line.

Stat of the Night: Fast Break Points Mia-23 Atl- 9; Points in the Paint Mia-38 Atl-26

You’re starting to see this Miami Heat team finally showing some run and gun offensive and also attacking the basket and getting key steals. Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade were also able to get 6 offensive rebounds in total which normally we lack. Erick Dampier also showed great defense inside the paint which also disallowed many offensive rebounds from opposing players.

The post Winning Streak Continues as HEAT beat on Hawks appeared first on The World Champion Crank Up The HEAT.